Common Carp Fact Sheet

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Species at a Glance 

The Common Carp is one of the oldest species to have been introduced globally and is present on every continent except for Antarctica. It is considered among the world’s worst invasive species according to the Global Invasive Species Database and is the most frequently reported nuisance fish in the United States. The Common Carp is a voracious, omnivorous fish and one of the largest members of the minnow family, Cyprinidae. It is long-lived with a lifespan of up to 50 years. Varieties of Common Carp include Mirror Carp, Leather Carp, and Koi, which are popular in small ponds and water gardens. 

Species Description 

The body of the Common Carp is heavy and stout, averaging 25-55 cm (10-22 in) in length and weighing 1-10 pounds, although some can reach up to 80 pounds. Color varies from bronze, brassy, or yellow with large scales usually outlined in black. The head is short with a rounded snout, a toothless sucker-like mouth, and two pairs of barbels on each side of the upper jaw. 

Native & Introduced Ranges 

While the Common Carp is native to areas of Europe and Asia, mainly along the Danube River drainage system, current native populations are questionable and probably limited to a few areas. It’s unclear exactly when the species was introduced into the United States, but most sources suggest it was introduced in the 1800s as a food and game fish. By 1885, the U.S. Fish Commission was actively stocking lakes and rivers throughout the country with Common Carp, and it is now prevalent throughout the entire United States. 

Biology & Spread 

Common Carp are migratory, and once introduced will spread naturally through waterway connections to other bodies of water to spawn. Spawning begins in late April and continues into June with females laying between 100,000 and 500,000 eggs. Young Common Carp can resemble baitfish, so anglers present another vector of spread by using them as bait. 

Habitat 

The Common Carp is tolerant of cold winter periods and low oxygen concentrations. It is most often found in manmade impoundments, lakes, ponds, and turbid sluggish streams receiving sewage or agricultural runoff, and is less abundant in clear waters or streams with a high gradient. It also inhabits brackish-water estuaries, backwaters, bays, and shallow water during spring spawning. 

Impacts 

Threat to Biodiversity 

The introduction of the Common Carp causes dramatic ecological disruptions at both the community and ecosystem levels. The Common Carp is omnivorous, feeding on benthic aquatic organisms such as insect larvae, worms, mollusks, and zooplankton as well as the stalks, seeds, and leaves of aquatic plants. This foraging behavior increases the turbidity of the water, which releases phosphorous and increases algae growth. This foraging also prevents the growth of native aquatic plants and ultimately negatively impacts water quality. 

Prevention & Control  

Control and eradication methods have traditionally focused on using non-specific piscicides, constructing electric or physical barriers, or harvesting from small controlled systems. These methods have been short-lived and costly, yielding only limited success. Therefore, preventing the introduction and spread of the Common Carp is the best way to protect natural habitats from harm.  

Techniques to prevent the spread of Common Carp and other aquatic invasive species include: 

• Know how to identify and report Common Carp. 
• Always check for and remove plants, mud, and debris from boats, trailers, clothing, and equipment before entering a water body and before leaving a water body. 
• Drain all water from bait buckets, bilges, and live wells before transporting to new areas. 
• Clean all gear and equipment with hot water (140°F or 40°C) or salt water, OR let boats and equipment dry thoroughly for at least five days before entering a new water body. 
• Since young Common Carp can resemble baitfish, it’s important to dispose of unused live bait in the trash; it is unlawful in Pennsylvania to release any unused live bait.  
• Common Carp should never be used as bait. 

References: 

• Flajshans, M. and Hulata, G. Common Carp-Cyprinus carpio. Genimpact final scientific report. 
• University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic and Agricultural Research Organization, Israel. 
• Miller, S.A. and Crowl, T.A. 2005. Effects of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) on macrophytes and 
• invertebrate communities in a shallow lake. Freshwater Biology. 51 (1): 85-94. 
• Nico, L., E. Maynard, P.J. Schofield, M. Cannister, J. Larson, A. Fusaro, and M. Neilson. 2015. 
• Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, 
• Gainesville, FL,  
• Stuart, I.G., Williams, A. McKenzie, J., and Holt, T. 2006. Managing a Migratory Pest Species: A 
• Selective Trap for Common Carp. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 26 (4): 888-893